Weather has played a significant factor in several games this NFL season, most notably the Bills‘ December defeat at the hands of the Patriots, who leaned on gusty winds to upset their AFC East rivals. It just might affect the divisional round of the playoffs, too. Green Bay, for instance, is due to endure potentially below-zero temperatures, as well as game-day snowfall, in advance of the Packers‘ anticipated showdown with the 49ers.
As we look toward the full slate of divisional round action, here are updated weather forecasts for each game, with info courtesy of The Weather Channel:
Time: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
Game-time forecast: Mainly sunny with a few afternoon clouds
Game-time temperature: 49 degrees (high), 28 degrees (low)
Game-time winds: 10-15 mph
Nothing too wild is on tap in Tennessee, where the Bengals and Titans should enjoy a mild climate for their chance to advance to the AFC Championship. If the winds pick up a bit, you might make the argument the home team will benefit, seeing as how Mike Vrabel’s squad often earns its living on the ground. But no rain or snow should allow Joe Burrow to keep airing it out.
49ers at Packers
Time: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Location: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
Game-time forecast: Partly cloudy with occasional snow showers
Game-time temperature: 13 degrees (high), 4 degrees (low)
Game-time winds: 5-10 mph
This one is easily the game to watch in terms of inclement weather. In true Playoff Lambeau fashion, the Packers may take the field with snow having already blanketed the area. Daytime temps in the 20s are expected to be in the teens by kickoff and keep dropping as the night goes on. Winds could make players feel like they’re in below-zero temps. That may benefit the 49ers, who are especially dependent on a ball-control, run-first strategy, but Matt LaFleur’s team has ground-game weapons of its own. Aaron Rodgers and Co. are also pretty used to playing cold football in games that matter.
Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (NBC, fuboTV)
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Game-time forecast: Partly cloudy
Game-time temperature: 60 degrees (high), 36 degrees (low)
Game-time winds: 10-15 mph
Bucs fans will get the nicest weather of all four divisional round matchups, to no surprise. Mostly clear skies and temps above 50 into the evening should allow Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford to play their games with no limitations.
Time: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Location: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Game-time forecast: Clear skies, then partly cloudy
Game-time temperature: 44 degrees (high), 33 degrees (low)
Game-time winds: 10-15 mph
Things could be much worse in Kansas City for a late-January matchup. Freezing temps will be within reach later in the night, but with mild winds and mostly clear skies, there shouldn’t be much restriction on two of the NFL‘s most explosive offenses.
